Author's Note: this is after the ball, right when the clock strikes midnight and Cinderella is running away. Told from the perspective of the Duke (who doesn't have a name in the movie, oddly enough.)
—-
*BONG!*
The Grand Duke raced after the girl, every strike of the bell tower filling him with a sense of urgency. Like a countdown, but a countdown to what?
"Mademoiselle!" He called out urgently, shoving his way past guests and guards as he tried to get the girl's attention. "Senorita!"
The Prince was stuck in the crowd. But unlike the Prince, he was allowed to ignore societal convention and be rude, and by the gods he would use it!
*BONG!*
The Grand Duke made it to the entryway and felt his hopes soar as he saw the girl making her way back up the stairs. However, said hopes were crushed as the moment she saw him she fled back down.
What was she doing?
He spied a glitter on the stairs, eyes widening as he saw a single slipper that matched the lady's dress.
He paused ever so briefly to snatch it up. "Excuse me! J-just a moment!" He called once more as he began chasing again, holding up her slipper to get her attention.
Glass. Delicately crafted, yet curiously serviceable if the way she had been dancing was any indicator. A treasure, to be sure.
Yet she never turned back.
*BONG!*
She made it to her carriage - another curiosity. Delicate and unique craftsmanship, clearly high quality.
It also bore no heraldry to indicate who it belonged to, but the High Duke already could say no noble within the kingdom owned it.
All of this was distantly yet automatically cataloged in his mind, but he had far more pressing matters to worry about.
"Close the gates!" He shouted desperately to the guards, feeling his heart stutter when the carriage didn't stop - it sped up. In shock, he watched as it barely scraped by the closing gates.
"A-after the girl!" The Duke ordered, the guards that had been getting ready the moment a commotion started took off. "O-open those gates!"
The squadron, some of the fastest horses the kingdom had, sped out as the gates spread open.
Was it overkill to send more of a response than if they were after a thief? Perhaps. But then, his life was on the line!
Which is why, after barely a moment's thought, the Duke raced over and leaped on his own horse, tearing after them all.
*BONG!*
As he rode, his mind was racing as fast as the horse.
The Grand Duke was an intelligent man, one whose instincts had kept him alive through two wars and 10 years of serving the King (which was sometimes more perilous than the wars, despite their friendship).
Why was the girl running?
He knew the Prince well. As the King's best friend, he helped raise the lad. He couldn't imagine the boy insulted her to the degree that she'd flee in fear.
And there had been fear in her gaze, he was sure of that. Desperation. None of which made sense!
Unless… Had he brought up marriage?
The Grand Duke cursed The King. He told him the whole love at first sight drivel was doomed to failure! While the Prince had no doubt figured out the purpose of the ball, they never explicitly told the guests!
A formal apology, yes, that would be the first thing. Followed by pleading for her to stay at the castle a mere week under the guise of getting to know The Prince better. If she still felt unsure, she'd be free to leave.
If she fell in love with the Prince after a week, so much the better. But if not, he needed that time to talk the King down.
He was sure he could do it - but he needed time!
But even as he thought through that, his horse only barely keeping the guards in front of him in sight, he wasn't quite satisfied.
He was missing something… But what?
*BONG!*
The girl… Who was she exactly?
Her custom apparel and coach spoke of either noble blood or a patron who was. Not everybody could come to the ball with their own dresses after all. The King had ordered all eligible maidens to attend, and there were many of common birth who couldn't afford such fineries.
The Grand Duke had, of course, ordered all the dressmakers to provide for those who couldn't afford it, and they had done a splendid job. But to provide for so many in so short a time, the dresses were unavoidably plain and far custom.
Despite what the King might think, he wasn't a miracle worker!
So, the girl had a patron. With her dress, her coach, and servants, she must. One within a day's travel of the palace, which shortened the list quite dramatically.
Once again, the King might have ordered every maiden in the Kingdom to attend, but that was simply unreasonable! It took days to travel from one end of the Kingdom to the other for their fastest rider alone! So the Grand Duke had to compromise.
*BONG!*
And here they hit a snag…
As the Grand Duke, he was aware of every noble in the land. He was also aware of most craftsmen as well, having catered to the King's wims for so long.
He knew of none that could own such a unique carriage, one fast enough to outrace a single rider as they were now doing. Nor any who could craft something as delicate as the glass slipper which was even now in his pocket.
Yet they obviously existed.
An unreasonably frightened and unknown girl, an impossibly crafted carriage, and apparel fit for royalty.
So…
So what did that mean?
*BONG!*
A foreigner perhaps?
It wasn't impossible, but he wasn't aware of any scheduled visits, and to show up unannounced would be unpardonably rude.
And how would they have heard of the ball? Unless they were already enroute to the palace?
… No, it would still be rude, and they would expect their presence to be announced to the court regardless.
That, and he would expect more of an entourage - guards at least. More than a footman and a coachman.
It was like she came from out of nowhere. Which was ridiculous!
Unless…
It was a good thing the Grand Duke's horse was well trained, otherwise he might have been sent sprawling as a realization hit him.
What about the fey?
*BONG!*
The fey rarely interact with humans. Many considered them a myth, but his position entitled him to information not readily available to most others.
Capable of magic, mostly only interfering for fairly trivial things. They were considered an annoyance for the most part, but their magic easily elevated them to a potential kingdom-wide threat.
Was this girl connected to them? It would explain a lot…
But no, the Grand Duke was the rational counterpoint to the King's whimsy. He would not consider 'magic' to be at fault until he had more evidence of such.
Even if it would explain so much.
*BONG!*
Wait -
The clock! T-the bell! Midnight! The girl didn't panic till the clock struck midnight!
From what he read, the fey were capable of extremely powerful magic, but it was temporary.
Their government consisted of two courts, winter and summer:
Winter Court magic was more aligned with the evening, and was said to break apart at noon. But the Summer Court was more aligned with the day, and as such broke apart in the evening.
At midnight.
Then, if that was true, then the magic would be unraveling any moment now…
*BONG!*
The final toll of the bell let off with an almost sorrowful sound.
The Grand Duke slowed down to a trot, letting the other riders race out of sight.
It was a stretch of the imagination and completely irresponsible to blame the fey the moment something inexplicable occurred. But with the other riders going ahead, he could afford to investigate this.
If he was right (which he might not be) then the magic would let out about…
There.
A woman carefully stepped out of the woods with a dog and horse, kneeling down to look at something on the road.
It was a sad sight:
The Grand Duke slowed to a stop and got off his horse, walking the rest of the distance. No need to startle the girl after all.
A far cry from the noblewoman he had seen just a few minutes earlier. Her dress was completely shredded - and for a moment he was worried she had been assaulted, but no… the lady was still decent, and the only mark on her was around her neck.
Not ruffians then. A jealous peer perhaps? Still, a visit to the royal physician wouldn't be out of place.
She startled when he purposefully made some noise after getting close enough, both the horse and dog moving in front of her defensively.
He tipped his head gently. "Good evening child." He greeted in the tone he usually used for skittish servants. "Might I take a seat for a moment?"
Without waiting for a reply he sank down on a log with a soft groan, confusing girl and animals. "My word, I'm not used to riding bareback anymore." He mused with a grandfatherly chuckle.
The lady just stared at him with those same terrified eyes, as if she had done something wrong and was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Well, best to put that to rest post-haste.
"I do hope that the boy treated you well during your dance." He commented softly, staring up at the sky. "I'll have to give him a talking otherwise." Subtly implying he was on her side and that he had authority over the Prince.
Her eyes widened, "oh no! He, he was a perfect gentleman I promise. That dance…" a soft smile overtook her frightened expression. "I've never been to a ball, and he made it perfectly wonderful."
The emotion she put into those words was practically tangible, and even if nothing came of this he felt a bit of pride for his part in the endeavor.
Her next sentence was said softly enough he nearly missed it.
"Even if I never saw the prince, it was worth it."
The Grand Duke's mind stuttered and nearly stopped.
She didn't know she was dancing with the Prince?!
As he raced through his thoughts, he realized that she must have been late. And if that was the case, then she missed the prince's introduction!
"Ah, well, if you don't mind me asking, child," he fumbled a bit as he rallied his thoughts. "Why did you run? You left the boy in a right state, I'm afraid."
She gave him a disbelieving look before gesturing to her dress. "I, I was told that the magic would end at midnight, and well…"
"I see." He murmured thoughtfully. There was a story there, but his mind was racing through the possibilities.
He was brought back down when the girl coughed.
"I am sorry."
The Grand Duke stared blankly at her. "For what?"
"For running?" She looked down in embarrassment. "I… I don't know?"
"A misunderstanding." The Duke waved away her apology. She was here now, he wouldn't die, and much could be forgiven. "But where are my manners? You're hardly dressed for the evening air. Why don't we head back to the castle for a cup of hot cocoa and you can stay the night. My apology."
She jerked her head to him with a startled expression. "I-I can't!"
The Duke frowned. "Why not?"
This was something he wasn't going to budge on. She could, of course, deny the Prince and return to her life if she desired.
It was up to the Prince to convince her otherwise, but if that is what she desired he would ensure it.
Yet that was besides the point. Tonight? Tonight she would be returning to the castle with him, and he'd do whatever needed to be done to ensure that.
It was amazing how many more options one had when they weren't too proud to beg on their hands and knees.
"My step-mother!" The girl rushed to explain, already becoming jittery. "I have to get back before she realizes I'm gone!"
"Why would that be an issue?" He asked, frown never leaving. "I can, of course, send a message…"
"No, it's…" she looked down at her hands. "She didn't want me to come. Ordered me not to."
The words froze the Duke.
That is… Certainly bold of somebody, going against what was clearly a Royal Decree. He penned the letter himself, he knew exactly what it said!
The image of the King with a sword in his hand flooded his mind.
Was somebody trying to get him killed?!
The Duke took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Well then, I commend you further for disobeying her in order to obey your King's orders." He complimented gently.
Pieces were falling into place. The torn dress, the girl's reactions… and it wasn't turning into a pretty picture.
"However, I must insist." He added a bit of steel to his voice, clearly expecting to be obeyed. He stood and offered his hand. "Do not fear, I will smooth everything over with your… Stepmother."
He probably wouldn't have to accuse her of treason (even if he was within his right), but there were other options.
When she looked hesitant, he added, "there are many threats to a young lady this time of night, in the woods. I truly just insist."
She hesitated for a second more before nodding. "All right." She let herself be helped onto her horse, and he clambered onto his own.
As they made their way back, he felt the urge to hit himself. "I'm terribly sorry milady, but I don't think I've gotten your name yet."
She favored him with a smile that, while clearly still troubled, some of a gentle soul.
"Please, I'm not a lady, but… My name is Cinderella."
Author's Notes:
Just a small plot bunny idea that I had and wanted to write out. If it's well received, I actually think there's enough room for three chapters.
Anyways, I hope all of you enjoy this little idea of mine. If you'd like for me to continue it, let me know!
And as usual, I'd like to thank those who are currently supporting me on pa tr eon; For anybody that is interested or would like to support me, the link to that page is P a treon . com (slash) shdowstep. (remove the spaces).